U.S. patent application number 14/529632 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for system and method for remote temperature measurements in a harsh environment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Bosch GmbH. Invention is credited to Ando Feyh, Gary O'Brien, Joel Oudart, Nikhil Ravi.
Application Number | 20150117490 14/529632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52995420 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150117490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Feyh; Ando ; et al. |
April 30, 2015 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS IN A HARSH
ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
A temperature sensing device includes a probe unit on a first
end and a sensor unit on a second end opposite the first end. The
first end is introduced into an environment to be measured, such as
an exhaust gas line from a combustion engine, and the second end is
positioned in a region outside of the environment such that the
sensor unit is at least partially insulated from a temperature of
the environment. The probe unit, exposed to the temperature of the
environment, achieves a temperature that corresponds to the
temperature of the environment. The sensor unit is operable to
sense the temperature of the probe unit and generate a
corresponding electrical signal usable to determine a sensed
temperature of the environment. The temperature of the environment
can be determined on a cycle-by-cycle basis, and is usable for
implementing advanced combustion strategies such as HCCI and
SACI.
Inventors: |
Feyh; Ando; (Reutlingen,
DE) ; O'Brien; Gary; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Oudart;
Joel; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Ravi; Nikhil;
(Mountain View, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Robert Bosch GmbH |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
52995420 |
Appl. No.: |
14/529632 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61897852 |
Oct 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
374/121 ;
374/144; 374/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 11/002 20130101;
Y02T 10/47 20130101; G01J 5/0014 20130101; Y02T 10/40 20130101;
G01J 5/048 20130101; F01N 2560/06 20130101; G01J 5/0887 20130101;
F01N 2900/1404 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
374/121 ;
374/163; 374/144 |
International
Class: |
G01J 5/04 20060101
G01J005/04; G01K 1/08 20060101 G01K001/08; F01N 11/00 20060101
F01N011/00; G01K 7/00 20060101 G01K007/00 |
Claims
1. A temperature sensing device, comprising: a housing that
includes: a first end portion; and a second end portion opposite
the first end portion, the first and second end portion defining an
interior of the housing; the housing being configured to be
arranged with the first end portion located within an environment
to be measured and the second end portion located outside the
environment; a probe unit that is attached to the first end portion
and that is configured to be exposed to the environment when the
first end portion is located within the environment such that a
temperature of the probe unit corresponds to a temperature of the
environment; and a sensor unit that is attached to the second end
portion and spaced apart from the probe unit with the interior
positioned therebetween, such that the sensor unit is configured to
be positioned outside of the environment when the first end portion
is located within the environment; the sensor unit being further
configured to: sense the temperature of the probe unit; and
generate an electrical signal indicative of the sensed temperature
of the probe unit.
2. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the interior
of the housing is sealed off from at least one of the environment
and the region outside of the environment.
3. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: the probe
unit is configured to emit radiation based on the temperature of
the probe unit; and a surface of the interior of the housing is
configured to reflect at least a portion of the radiation emitted
by the probe unit towards the sensor unit.
4. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the housing
includes a metal.
5. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the housing
has a substantially tube-like shape.
6. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: the
environment is a fluid flowing through a pipe; and the first end
portion is configured to be inserted into the pipe.
7. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor
unit is mounted to a side of the second end portion that faces the
interior of the housing.
8. The temperature sensing device of claim 7, wherein the sensor
unit includes at least one sensor mounted to the side of the second
end that faces the interior via a spacer positioned in a cavity of
the second end of the housing, the spacer configured to at least
partially insulate the at least one sensor from the temperature of
the environment.
9. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the probe
unit includes a metallic film with a high thermal conductivity such
that the temperature of the probe unit tracks the temperature of
the environment with a response that is within the order of
milliseconds.
10. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: the probe
unit is configured to emit radiation based on the temperature of
the probe unit; the sensor unit includes an infra-red sensor
configured to sense the infra-red radiation emitted by the probe
unit; and the electrical signal generated by the sensor unit is
generated with reference to the sensed infra-red radiation.
11. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor
unit is configured to connect, via an electrical connection, with a
processor configured to determine a sensed temperature of the
environment with reference to the electrical signal generated by
the sensor unit.
12. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the probe
unit includes a carbon preconditioner.
13. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein the
temperature sensing device has a time constant in the order of
milliseconds.
14. A temperature measuring system for use with an engine having an
exhaust pipe configured to exhaust gas generated by the engine,
comprising: a temperature sensing device that includes: a housing
having: a detection end that is at least partially inserted into
the exhaust pipe; and a sensor end that is outside of the exhaust
pipe, the detection end and the sensor end defining an interior; a
probe unit that closes off the detection end of the housing such
that the probe unit is exposed to exhaust gas flowing through the
exhaust pipe, and that is configured to have a temperature that
tracks a temperature of the exhaust gas; and a sensor unit that is
mounted on a side of the sensor end of the housing that faces the
interior, and that is configured to: sense the temperature of the
probe unit; and generate an electrical signal indicative of the
sensed temperature of the probe unit; a processor that is
electronically connected to the sensor unit and that is configured
to determine a sensed temperature of the exhaust gas with reference
to the electrical signal; and an engine controller that is
operatively connected to the processor and the engine, and that is
configured to control the engine with reference to the sensed
exhaust gas temperature on a cycle-by-cycle basis.
15. A method of sensing a temperature, the method comprising;
introducing a first end portion of a housing of a temperature
sensing device into an environment to be measured, the first end
portion having a probe unit that closes off the end portion of the
housing; positioning a second end portion of the housing into a
region outside of the environment, the second end portion being
opposite the first end portion and having a sensor unit mounted on
a side facing the probe unit; exposing the probe unit to a
temperature of the environment, such that a temperature of the
probe unit corresponds to the temperature of the environment;
sensing, with the sensing unit, the temperature of the probe unit;
and generating an electrical signal with reference to the sensed
temperature of the probe unit, the electrical signal corresponding
to a sensed temperature of the environment.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein: exposing the probe unit to the
temperature of the environment causes the probe unit to emit
infra-red radiation; and the sensor unit includes an infra-red
sensor configured to sense the infra-red radiation emitted by the
probe unit in order to sense the temperature of the probe unit.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining, via a
processor, the sensed temperature of the environment, with
reference to the electrical signal.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein: the probe unit is configured
such that a change in the temperature of the environment induces a
change in the temperature of the probe within a time period on the
order of milliseconds; and the method further comprising repeating
the determination of the sensed temperature of the environment for
at least one following time period in order to collect
cycle-by-cycle data of the temperature of the environment.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling an
engine with reference to the cycle-by-cycle data.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/897,852 filed Oct. 31, 2013, the entire contents
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to the field of
temperature measurement, and, more particularly, to temperature
sensors for measuring a temperature in a harsh environments.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Temperatures are measured in many industrial and commercial
systems and processes to provide desired conditions in which the
systems and processes operate. By accurately measuring the
temperatures of the systems and industrial processes, the
associated equipment can operate at an optimum efficiency.
Temperature measurements made for a combustion engine can be
particularly critical, since the efficiency of the engine can be
directly related to the temperature at which the engine
operates.
[0004] Some applications for temperature sensing present a harsh or
extreme environment which can affect the capability of a
temperature sensor to accurately determine a temperature. For
example, in some types of combustion engines, the temperature of
the engine exhaust can provide an accurate indicator of the
operating conditions of the engine. However, due to the harsh
environment of the exhaust gas, the temperature sensing systems and
the temperature sensors themselves, require robust packaging to
prevent the extreme environment from affecting the temperature
measurement. Highly complex packaging to protect the system or
sensor can be required. Unfortunately, packaging of this type,
while effective, can be costly or complex. In addition, additional
electrical circuitry and the associated wiring may be needed to
transmit the electrical temperature signals in an extreme
environment. As a result, there are a relatively few number of
currently available temperature sensors which can be used for such
extreme applications.
[0005] Commercially available temperature sensors are known which
measure temperatures at predetermined discrete periods of time,
typically on the order of every few seconds or more. Such discrete
measurement time periods can be too long for certain types of
applications, and are therefore not suitable for fast,
cycle-by-cycle temperature measurements. In particular, discrete
time measurements, on the order of every few seconds, are not
useful for control of advanced combustion strategies such as
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) and Spark Assisted
Compression Ignition (SACI) used in combustion engines.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a fast temperature sensor
that is usable in harsh or extreme environments without requiring
complex packaging.
SUMMARY
[0007] The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is
described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the claims.
[0008] Using an infrared based temperature sensor, the temperature
of gases in a harsh environment such as the engine exhaust can be
measured remotely on a cycle-by-cycle basis, without the need for
complex packaging and costly wiring/electrical connections to the
outside environment. The temperature inside the environment is
measured using a sealed probe. The sealed probe is substantially at
the same temperature as the environment and the temperature of the
sealed probe is measured using an infra-red temperature sensor.
This enables the sensor element to be placed physically apart from
the high temperature environment such as a region in the path of
exhaust gas. Therefore, conventional packaging and standard signal
conditioning can be applied. The infrared based sensor
advantageously has a time constant in the order of milliseconds,
allowing very fast measurements of temperature. The described
system, method, and device are effectively usable in automotive
applications, as well as a wide variety of industrial uses.
[0009] In one embodiment, a temperature sensing device includes a
probe unit and a sensor unit. The probe unit is configured to be
positioned within an environment such that a temperature of the
probe unit corresponds to a temperature of the environment. The
sensor unit is spaced apart from the probe unit such that when the
probe unit is positioned within the environment, the sensor unit is
not positioned within the environment. The sensor unit is
configured to sense the temperature of the probe unit, and generate
an electrical signal indicative of the sensed temperature of the
probe unit.
[0010] In one aspect of the disclosure, the device further includes
a sealed housing that has a first end, a second end opposite the
first end, and an interior between the first end and the second
end. The probe unit closes off the first end of the housing such
that the interior of the housing is sealed off from the
environment. The sensor unit is mounted on a side of the second end
that faces the interior.
[0011] In an embodiment, a surface of the interior of the housing
is configured to reflect at least a portion of radiation emitted by
the probe unit towards the sensor unit. In one embodiment, the
housing includes a metal. In one aspect, the housing has a
substantially tube-like shape. In one embodiment, a portion of the
housing that includes the first end but does not include the second
end is configured to be inserted into a pipe, such as an exhaust
pipe configured to exhaust gas from an engine.
[0012] In an embodiment, the sensor unit includes at least one
sensor mounted to the side of the second end that faces the
interior via a spacer positioned in a cavity of the second end of
the housing. The spacer is configured to at least partially
insulate the at least one sensor from the temperature of the
environment.
[0013] In a further embodiment, the probe unit includes a metallic
film with a high thermal conductivity such that changes in the
temperature of the environment that are small in magnitude relative
to a magnitude of the temperature of the environment induce a
change in the temperature of the probe unit that is detectable by
the sensor unit.
[0014] In a further aspect, the probe unit emits infra-red
radiation with reference to the temperature of the probe unit. The
sensor unit includes an infra-red sensor configured to sense the
infra-red radiation emitted by the probe unit, and the electrical
signal generated by the sensor unit is generated with reference to
the sensed infra-red radiation. In an embodiment, the probe unit
includes a carbon preconditioning.
[0015] In another aspect, the temperature sensing device has a time
constant in the order of milliseconds.
[0016] A temperature measuring system for use with an engine that
has an exhaust pipe configured to exhaust gas generated by the
engine includes a temperature sensing device as described above
that is operatively connected to a processor configured to
determine a sensed temperature of the exhaust gas with reference to
the electrical signal. An engine controller is operatively
connected to the processor and the engine, and is configured to
control the engine with reference to the sensed exhaust gas
temperature on a cycle-by-cycle basis.
[0017] In an embodiment, the probe unit is configured such that a
change in the temperature of the environment induces a change in
the temperature of the probe within a time period on the order of
milliseconds. The determination of the sensed temperature of the
environment can be repeated for at least one following time period
in order to collect cycle-by-cycle data of the temperature of the
environment that is usable to facilitate advanced combustion
strategies such as Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI)
and Spark Assisted Compression Ignition (SACI).
[0018] The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or
methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview
of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended
to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such
systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some
concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a temperature sensing
device according to the disclosure.
[0020] FIGS. 2-4 are schematic illustrations of different
embodiments of temperature sensing devices according to the
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a sensor portion of a
temperature sensing device according to the disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a probe portion of a
temperature sensing device according to the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a temperature
measuring system according to the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the embodiments described herein, reference is now
made to the drawings and descriptions in the following written
specification. No limitation to the scope of the subject matter is
intended by the references. This disclosure also includes any
alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and
includes further applications of the principles of the described
embodiments as would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the
art to which this document pertains.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a temperature sensing
device 100 according to the disclosure. The device 100 includes a
probe unit 102 and a sensor unit 104. The probe unit 102 is
positioned such that it is located substantially within an
environment 106 to be measured. The probe unit 102 is exposed to a
temperature of the environment 106, and is configured to achieve a
temperature that corresponds to the temperature of the environment.
The sensor unit 104 is positioned such that it is located in a
region 108 outside of the environment 106. Consequentially, the
sensor unit 104 is at least partially insulated from the
temperature of the environment 106.
[0026] The sensor unit is configured to sense the temperature of
the probe unit 102, and is further configured to generate an
electrical signal indicative of the temperature of the probe unit
102. In an embodiment, the probe unit is configured to absorb heat
from the environment 106 and emit infra-red radiation in response
to the temperature of the environment 106, whereby the infra-red
radiation is at least partially directed at the sensor unit 104.
The sensor unit is configured to detect the infra-red radiation
generated from the heat absorbed by the probe unit 102 from the
environment 106.
[0027] In one aspect of the disclosure, the environment 106 is a
harsh or extreme environment having a high temperature relative to
a temperature of the region 108 outside of the environment 106.
Since the temperature of the region 108 is low compared to the
temperature of the environment 106, infra-red emissions from the
region 108 do not have a significant effect on temperature
measurements of the sensor unit 104. Additionally, any excess heat
retained by the probe unit 102, for example when the temperature of
the environment drops, can be dissipated into the region 108 or the
environment 106. Advantageously, because the sensor unit 104 is
spaced apart from the environment 106, conventional electronic
connection and packaging practices are usable for providing the
sensor unit 104 in the device 100 without a risk of damage or
inaccurate measurements.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a temperature
sensing device 200 that includes a housing 210, a probe unit 202,
and a sensor unit 204. The probe unit 202 closes off a first end
212 of the housing 210, and the sensor unit 204 is mounted on a
side of a second end 214 of the housing 210 that faces an interior
216 of the housing 210 defined by the first end 212 and the second
end 214. In an embodiment, the housing 210 is a hollow tube having
a substantially cylindrical shape, although other shapes for the
housing 210 are also contemplated. The device 200 is positioned
such that a first portion 222 that includes the probe unit 202 is
positioned within an environment 206 that is desirably measured,
and such that a second portion 224 that includes the sensor unit
204 is positioned in a region 208 outside of the environment 206.
In one aspect, the interior 216 of the housing 210 is sealed off
from at least one of the environment 206 and the region 208 such
that, for example, gasses, debris, or other materials are prevented
from entering the interior 216 that might otherwise contaminate or
damage the sensor unit 204.
[0029] In an example, the environment 206 is a pipe directing a hot
fluid, such as an exhaust pipe directing exhaust gas away from an
engine. The housing 210 thus extends through an aperture 218 in a
wall of the pipe 206. The first portion 222 extends into the
exhaust pipe 206 such that the probe unit 202 is located
substantially in a middle of a channel defining a flow path of the
pipe 206, although other locations are also contemplated. In an
embodiment, the probe unit 202 is located beyond a laminar boundary
region of gas flowing within the pipe 206. Because the second
portion 224 is located outside of the flow path of the pipe 206,
the second portion 224, and thereby the sensor unit 204, is at
least partially insulated from the exhaust gas in the pipe 206.
[0030] At least the second portion 224 of the housing 210
advantageously is configured to have a sufficient mass, surface
area, and thermal conductivity such that the housing 210 maintains
a relatively stable temperature when exposed to the temperature of
the region 208 outside of the environment 206. Because the housing
210 is in a substantially steady-state condition, excess latent
heat in the probe unit can promptly dissipate, since a temperature
of the housing 210 is lower than a temperature of the environment
206. This enables sub-second oscillations in the temperature of the
environment to induce detectable changes in the temperature of the
probe unit 202. The housing 210 also at least partially insulates
the sensor unit 202, and thus further enables use of conventional
electronic connection and packaging practices without risking
damage or inaccurate measurements.
[0031] In an example, the probe unit emits infra-red radiation due
to its temperature, and the sensor unit 204 includes an infra-red
sensor configured to detect infra-red radiation within a certain
detection angle relative to the sensor. FIG. 3 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of the device 200 wherein the sensor unit 204
has a narrow detection angle illustrated by the detection lines
228, which extend from the sensor unit 204 but do not touch the
housing 210. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment wherein the
housing 210 includes a reflective material such that at least a
portion of infra-red radiation emitted by the probe unit 202 is
reflected along the interior 216 by the reflective material in the
housing 210 and is directed towards the sensor unit 204, which has
a wide detection angle as illustrated by the detection lines 230
which impinge upon and are reflected by the housing 210. In an
example, the housing 210 includes a metal. In another example, the
interior 216 of the housing 210 is coated or lined with a
reflective material.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the second
portion 224 of the housing 210. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the
sensor unit 204 includes an infra-red sensor 234 mounted onto the
side of the second end 214 via a spacer 236 and configured to
generate the electrical signal indicative of the temperature of the
probe unit 202. In an example, the spacer 236 is inserted into and
thus closes off a cavity 238 in of the second end 214 of the
housing 210. As examples, the spacer 236 may be press-fitted,
screwed into, snapped, welded, glued, or bolted to the housing 210.
In particular, the spacer 236 can include threads configured to
mate and engage with corresponding threads located along the cavity
238, although any suitable method of mounting the spacer 236 within
the housing 210 may be used.
[0033] In one aspect, the spacer 236 includes an insulating
material and is configured to at least partially insulate the
sensor 234 from high temperatures. In an example, the spacer 236
includes a material such as, for example, a ceramic, a plastic, or
glass. In one aspect, the spacer 236 further includes an electronic
connection 240 that is configured to electronically connect the
sensor 234 to, for example, a processor (see, e.g., the processor
306 in FIG. 7) for determining a sensed temperature of the
environment 206 that corresponds to the electrical signal generated
by the sensor 234. In other embodiments, an electrical connection
for connecting the sensor 234 passes through an aperture in the
housing 210.
[0034] Installation of the device 200 can be accomplished, for
example, by inserting the housing 210 into the aperture 218 of the
pipe 206 (FIG. 2), and then inserting the spacer 236 with the
sensor 234 mounted thereon into the cavity 238 in the housing 210
(FIG. 5). Other installation processes are also contemplated,
including wherein the sensor unit 204 is included within the
housing 210 prior to installing the housing 210 in a desired
location.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the first
portion 222 of the housing 210. In one aspect, the probe unit 202
includes a thin metallic film 232 that has a high thermal
conductivity such that changes in the temperature of the
environment 206 (FIG. 2) that are small in magnitude relative to a
magnitude of the temperature of the environment 206 induce a change
in the temperature of the probe unit 202 that is detectable by the
sensor unit 204. In other words, the thin metallic film 232 has a
low time constant for heat absorption/radiation, such that the
temperature of the probe unit 202 tracks the temperature of the
exhaust gas, even for sub-second temperature fluctuations such as
temperature changes occurring within a time period on the order of
milliseconds.
[0036] Because the first portion 222 of the housing 210 is located
within the environment 206, in some embodiments, material from the
environment 206 can build up on the first portion 222 or the probe
unit 202. For example, under some conditions, soot particulates
from exhaust gasses can accumulate so as to completely cover the
first portion 222 or the probe unit 202. Advantageously, such soot
particulate accumulation does not impact performance of the device
200, and can even improve heat absorption by the probe unit
202.
[0037] In an embodiment, the first portion 222 includes a
preconditioner 234, such as a layer of carbon or soot disposed over
outside surfaces of the probe unit 204 or the first portion 222
which are exposed to the environment 206. The preconditioner 234
facilitates stable heat absorption characteristics over time.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a
temperature measuring system 300 for use with an engine 302 having
an exhaust pipe 304 configured to exhaust gas generated by the
combustion engine 302. The engine 302 can be, for example, a
combustion engine, a compression engine, or combinations thereof.
The system 300 includes a temperature sensing device 200 (FIG. 2)
that is positioned within the exhaust pipe 304 as described above,
and is operable to determine a temperature of exhaust gas exhausted
from the engine 302 through the exhaust pipe 304.
[0039] The temperature sensing device 200 includes a sensor unit
204 that generates an electronic signal indicative of a temperature
of a probe unit 202, and is operatively connected to a processor
306 via an electrical connection 312. The processor 304 is
configured to determine a sensed temperature of the exhaust gas in
the exhaust pipe 304 with reference to the electronic signal
generated by the sensor unit 204. The processor 306 is also
operatively connected to an engine controller 308, and is
configured to provide the engine controller 308 with exhaust gas
temperatures and other information such as changes to exhaust gas
temperatures over time.
[0040] In an embodiment, the system 300 also includes an interface
310 operatively coupled to the processor 306, and configured to
provide input of additional information to the processor 306. In an
example, the interface 310 is a user interface by which a user can
select one or more settings.
[0041] The engine controller 308 is operatively connected to the
engine 302, and is configured to control the engine 302 with
reference to information provided by the processor 306. In one
aspect, the processor is configured to determine temperatures of
the exhaust gas on a cycle-by-cycle basis, wherein each cycle is a
time period on the order of milliseconds. The engine controller 308
is further configured to control the engine 302 on a cycle-by-cycle
basis. Cycle-by-cycle measurements facilitate implementation via
the engine controller 308 of advanced combustion strategies such as
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) and Spark Assisted
Compression Ignition (SACI).
[0042] While the operative connections between components of the
system 300 are illustrated as lined connections, it should be
understood that such connections can be, for example, hard-wired
connections, wireless connections transmitted via, for example, an
antenna and receiver, or combinations thereof.
[0043] While several embodiments are described above for sensing
the temperature of exhaust gasses exhausted from an engine, it
should be appreciated that the temperature sensing device described
above is usable in a wide variety of applications that involve a
harsh or extreme environment that may otherwise damage a
conventional sensor or which requires measuring the temperature of
the environment in time periods on the order of milliseconds. For
example, the temperature sensing device disclosed herein may be
used in applications for power plants, distilleries, chemical
plants, oil wells, and other industrial and mechanical
applications.
[0044] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-described
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems, applications
or methods. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated
alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be
subsequently made by those of ordinary skill in the art that are
also intended to be encompassed by the disclosure.
* * * * *